April 22, 2012

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Saint Joseph's softball team won the first game of the doubleheader at Rhode Island, 11-1, on Sunday. With the score tied at 3-3 entering the sixth, the nightcap was called due to rain, resulting in a tie game.

The Hawks took advantage of a big offensive outing and stellar pitching from senior Erin Gallagher in the opener. Gallagher picked up her eighth win of the year and moved into a tie for the career-lead in victories at SJU. Gallagher, who matched Christina Kowalski's mark of 62 wins, allowed one unearned run, while striking out three in game one.

At the plate, Saint Joseph's scored 11 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to answer back from a 1-0 early deficit.

In the fifth, the Hawks scored eight times, taking advantage of seven hits and a pair of Ram errors. Eight of nine SJU players scored during the offensive inning, with a single by Deanna Stinner scoring the final runs.

Saint Joseph's would plate three more in the top of the sixth as Dana Parks and Alaina Loguidice scored on a two-run single by freshman Lauren Rendon. Senior Bernadette Moran would score on a wild pitch to make it an 11-1 game.

Gallagher retired the Rams in order in the seventh to earn the mercy-rule victory for SJU.

In game two, a bases-loaded walk by Loguidice gave SJU a 1-0 lead in the second, but the Rams would score three times in the bottom of the third off SJU starter Taryn Ashway to make it 3-1.

With rain starting to fall, the Hawks rallied with a pair of runs in the fourth. Pinch runner Traneya White scored from third on a ground out to shortstop by Loguidice to make it 3-2. Sophomore Maria Ficca tied the game at 3-3 on a sacrifice fly that scored rookie Taylor McGorry.

Neither offense would get anything going from there, as the rain continued to pour, forcing the umpires to call the game after five innings.

The Hawks return to action Tuesday when they host Temple in a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.